The Devils today signed Swiss forward Damien Brunner to a two-year $5 million contract.

Brunner 27 had been in training camp on a tryout but he impressed general manager Lou Lamoriello and coach Pete DeBoer enough to merit being signed.

"He came to camp without a contract and showed us what he can do" Lamoriello said.

In two preseason games Brunner has two points (no goals two assists) and is minus-2. He will play tonight against the Flyers in Philadelphia.

"I'm real happy we were able to make the deal a little earlier than Oct. 1. Now it's a little bit easier for me to focus on the start of the season" Brunner said. "I'm really excited about being a Devil. Now (I can) stick around."

He said he was confident he could earn a spot with thew Devils.

"I think you have to be confident otherwise it makes no sense. There is no point in coming over to try. I believed I could come over prove myself and get a contract" Brunner said. "That's what happened and I'm very happy about it. I think both sides are happy about it."

The Devils wanted to sign him early in the summer.

"I think they pretty much knew what they get with me" Brunner said. "It was aboyt them seeing how I react when I came to this organization."